What do President Katalin Novák, UN Youth Delegate Domokos Kovács, and journalist Al Ghaoui Hesna have in common? They all participated in exchange programs in the United States.
Every year, hundreds of Hungarians benefit from short- or long-term exchange programs in the U.S.
International Education Week, held from November 14-18, is an opportunity to celebrate the value of international education and to encourage both students and professionals to be open and apply to these opportunities. Why? Here is what some Hungarian alumni think.
“This year has shaken up, colored up, recharged our souls so much, that I would prescribe it for everyone: move abroad for a while and experience how refreshing it is to break up boringly safe routines and relearn who you are, what you are capable of, what it feels like to see yourself and what you stand for in the light of different, new eyes and new relationships.
Which of course is often not easy, and often involves questioning everything you have taken for granted for decades. Sometimes you hold on to what you thought was true and real until that moment. After some labor, you may still be able to embrace a new perspective or a new nuance. Or you may realize that there are segments of your knowledge that are so valuable to others that you would never have thought of. And you realize how much more you have to learn.
I think these are all the pillars of critical thinking, which is increasingly disappearing in a world of pre-processed, pre-digested food, theories, solutions.”
Hesna, journalist, Fulbright alumna – Al Ghaoui Hesna: Egyetlen felforgató, inspiráló év jobban formál bennünket, mint tizenöt másik – Az amerikai napló vége – WMN
“The program started a series of life-changing events for me – I got serious learning opportunities in the fields of strategic planning, youth engagement, establishing and maintaining partnerships, community service and leadership skills development.”
Alíz, professional, Community Solutions Program alumna
Currently Open Calls for Applications
You may browse U.S. Government exchange programs and other exchange opportunities on our website any time. And here is a list of scholarships/fellowships you may apply for this November and December.
Community Engagement Exchange Program
The Community Engagement Exchange Program is a transformational year-long leadership development program designed to enable civil society leaders, ages 21-28 from communities in over 100 countries to harness the power of networks, relationships, and information for the public good, specifically on issues related to civic dialogue and peacebuilding, open and participatory government, women and gender, resilience and sustainable development, and youth engagement.
Apply by November 30, 2022.
Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI)
SUSI for Scholars, Secondary Educators and Student Leaders are academic programs whose purpose is to provide grantees the opportunity to deepen their understanding of U.S. society, culture, values, and institutions.
Apply by January 2, 2023.
“I was amazed by the well-equipped university, the professional quality of the education and the way as the whole program was organized.”
Zsombor, university student, SUSI alumnus
Ambassadors Fund Summer Work Travel (AFSWT)
The AFSWT scholarship gives university students the chance to spend the summer working with an international team at a traditional American children’s camp, learning about American culture, making lifelong friends, building relationships, improving their language skills in a native environment and using their pocket money to travel around America. The program also gives young people basic skills that they can use in their future jobs and experience how to get by in a foreign country.
Application deadline: subject to availability of places. (The sooner you apply, the better.)
“I completely stepped out of my comfort zone.”
Réka, university student, Ambassadors Fund Summer Work Travel alumna
Resources and Events
A fantastic and free resource to guide you through application processes, and help you with test preparation, English writing and speaking skills development is the American Corners network in Pécs, Debrecen, Veszprém, Szeged and Budapest. These offices organize tons of events and serve as places for American cultural immersion without having to fly across the ocean. Find the nearest center to you to be part of the community, or join their virtual events.
These are only some of their online EducationUSA events coming up soon, available for anyone free of charge:
How to Ace Your U.S. College Applications – webinar
November 14, 6pm
Register at zsnagy@educationusa.org to get the event link.
Instagram Live: My Fulbright Experience
November 15, 7pm
https://www.instagram.com/acveszprem/
Instagram Live Chat with a FLEX alumna
November 16, 7 pm
FLEX is an American high school scholarship
https://www.instagram.com/debrecenac/
Study in the U.S. with a full scholarship!
November 16, 7 pm
Linda Klein scholarship at Sewanee: The University of the South.
Register at educationusa@fulbright.hu to get the event link.
Summer Vibes 2023 // online – series
November 21, 6 pm
How to get into a summer university program in the U.S.
EducationUSA
When you hear the name Fulbright, you may think about the most prestigious academic exchange program in Hungary, and you would be right about that. Not only post-graduate students, but also lecturers, researchers and other mid-career professionals may apply for Fulbright fellowships annually in October and May.
The Fulbright Commission also offers an EducationUSA Advising Center that provides a comprehensive source of information about U.S. higher education with test preparation workshops, special programs, a library and more.
During International Education Week (November 14-18, 2022) you also have the chance to join virtual IEW events globally organized by EducationUSA centers and American universities.
Hear From Alumni
Browse U.S. exchange opportunities and reach out to the EducationUSA advisors either at the American Corners or at Fulbright EAC for more information. And if you would like to learn more about specific program details and Hungarian experiences, read our alumni reflection stories:
- YTILI Fellowship Experience of a Young Hungarian Entrepreneur
- U.S. Exchange Experience: Study of the U.S Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders
- The Benjamin Franklin Fellowship Experience – Hungarian Alumni Reflection
- SUSI ösztöndíj testközelből – egy korábbi magyar résztvevő élményei (Only HU)
